The Cav SKY drama

[maltiv]

Cav insists on Specialized, Martin insists on Specialized... sounds like Specialized are throwing a fair bit of cash at these boys to be on their bikes.

Indeed. I highly doubt it's actually Cavendish or Martin "insisting" on using a Specialized bike, as media would have one believe, but rather a clever marketing strategy by Specialized, i.e paying Cavendish massive amounts of money to continue using their equipment. In the eyes of the public this may look like a case of personal preference in which case it's the best commercial specialized can get (simultaneously they make one of their rivals, Pinarello, look bad).

 

[meat puppet]

Indeed. I highly doubt it's actually Cavendish or Martin "insisting" on using a Specialized bike, as media would have one believe, but rather a clever marketing strategy by Specialized, i.e paying Cavendish massive amounts of money to continue using their equipment. In the eyes of the public this may look like a case of personal preference in which case it's the best commercial specialized can get (simultaneously they make one of their rivals, Pinarello, look bad).

That was my first thought too. I think the peloton is rather leveled in terms of equipment.

Then again have Specialized bikes been nominated the cause of Cav having second thoughts in mainstream ie. non-cycling media? If so, very well played. If not, well, many active riders / cycling followers will call BS but nice try anyway.

Whatever the outcome, Specialized surely played it and heck, they might as well make a cash Cav out of it.

 

[Dancing On The Pedals]

Cav insists on Specialized, Martin insists on Specialized... sounds like Specialized are throwing a fair bit of cash at these boys to be on their bikes.

Indeed. I highly doubt it's actually Cavendish or Martin "insisting" on using a Specialized bike, as media would have one believe, but rather a clever marketing strategy by Specialized, i.e paying Cavendish massive amounts of money to continue using their equipment. In the eyes of the public this may look like a case of personal preference in which case it's the best commercial specialized can get (simultaneously they make one of their rivals, Pinarello, look bad).

If Cav goes to Sky, he'll have to ride Pinarello obviously, but I've always had the impression that the Venge was sort of made for him though. Anybody know anymore about that (I stress, it is just my own theory)? He certainly seems to like it a lot. I remember reading that Specialized and Mclaren are going to continue to work together though.

I wondered about this on the team bikes thread - anyone know the exact details of the Cav/Specialized/Mclaren relationship? Is he sponsored personally like Contador is? If not, don't see why they couldn't just paint a Specialized in Pinarello colours - happens in cricket all the time.

Also, regarding his Nike deal - it presumably is for far more than just his shoes? If it was only them, then surely Addidas wouldn't be too bothered as they don't make cycling shoes. Personally, I hope that these issues do end up preventing the Cav/Sky move - partly because I don't think it's totally in Sky's interests, and I'd also like to see the British riders dotted around the peloton as much as possible.

Do Quickstep have a GC rider of any sort (excluding Peter Velits and Tony Martin ?

 

[MartinGT]

I'm glad if this is the case, I like to see British riders spread out over a few different teams not just resident at Sky.

Fully agree, the British National Champs are getting too predictable!

 

[Sophistic]

To make the drama perfect Riis has to ride into the theatre( obv on a specialized bike)

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

The disagreements are, I strongly suspect, less about salary or specific sponsors (although both of those things matter) than about the general principle of image rights.

Cavendish's agents seem to have decided that the opportunity is there to make him into a big star, bigger than the sport itself, in Britain. And that means serious money, significantly bigger than his salary, if he still controls his image rights.

They may well be right.

 

[canyonball]

If not, don't see why they couldn't just paint a Specialized in Pinarello colours - happens in cricket all the time.

A venge with a Pinarello sticker. That would reeeeally go unnoticed

As you pointed out, I would be very interested to know what is the nature of the business relationship beetween Cavendish and these companies. Although I must say I'm getting pretty bored with the drama. I'm close to go on "Wake me up when he announces" mode.

 

[bobbins]

Fair play to Cav for trying to get the most out of what isn't a particularly long career. He's been stung previously with his contract with High Road so wants to make sure his new one is in his favour. As far as announcements go, there may be some delay in announcing his new team as his existing sponsors will want to get maximum exposure out of his WC win and he's employed by them until the end of the year.

 

[Catwhoorg]

I'm close to go on "Wake me up when he announces" mode.

I'm a big Cav fan and I'm already there.

Just get it signed and get it announced.

 

[Thomsena]

Latest rumours say that he has signed for Man United. Not entirely sure if that is to be trusted.

 

[HongKongPhooey]

I agree with spreading the Brits through different teams.

Cav to Saxobank please. You know it makes sense with Bertie out for a year or two.

 

[ImmaculateKadence]

I must say I'm getting pretty bored with the drama. I'm close to go on "Wake me up when he announces" mode.

+1

All I really care about is how he performs at his new team. I think his chances are better with Sky, but if he, his agents, and Specialized want to milk this for all it's worth just so he rides a particular bike, so be it. If I were Cav and his agent, I would drop this crap about what bike he rides and go to where he will get the most support (Sky), regardless of what the bike companies want.

 

[spalco]

If I were Cav and his agent, I would drop this crap about what bike he rides and go to where he will get the most support (Sky), regardless of what the bike companies want.

I agree. He's still young, getting results now is more important than getting that super mega contract. Especially with the Olympics on the horizon.

 

[Quixote]

I suspect Cav is weighing his options regarding a switch from cycling to Professional Drag Car racing...quite similiar to what he already does... think of the allure of becoming the first Isle of Man nitro-sucking, flame-throwing demon from Hell!
It's either that or professional ice fishing where all of his gear will be made by specialized.

 

[FignonLeGrand]

I agree with spreading the Brits through different teams.

Cav to Saxobank please. You know it makes sense with Bertie out for a year or two.

Has a Rijs team ever had a sprinter actually competing seriously? Your post got me thinking.. .....

 

[MartinGT]

I agree. He's still young, getting results now is more important than getting that super mega contract. Especially with the Olympics on the horizon.

This contract will see him through to his prime though, would you rush it? I would say no.

 

[spalco]

If he signs for two years he should still be on top of the cycling world if he brings the wins home during that time.

 

[MartinGT]

If he signs for two years he should still be on top of the cycling world if he brings the wins home during that time.

It wont be a 2 year contract IMO. Letting a world class sprinter go at 28 just before he hits the "prime" spot? It will be a 4-5 year contact IMO.

 

[King Of The Wolds]

Has a Rijs team ever had a sprinter actually competing seriously? Your post got me thinking.. .....

I think Haedo fits that description.

 

[Ragerod]

It wont be a 2 year contract IMO. Letting a world class sprinter go at 28 just before he hits the "prime" spot? It will be a 4-5 year contact IMO.

I don't think anyone in cycling is prepared to commit that long into the future. I was thinking more along the lines of a three-year deal with an option.

 

[will10]

I think Haedo fits that description.

Haedo is sub-top at best

 

[FignonLeGrand]

I think Haedo fits that description.

hhmm i suppose. I always think of him as a lead out man with no one to lead

 

[WillemS]

Wrong thread... Sorry.

 

[El Pistolero]

I think Haedo fits that description.

Yeah, he's doing pretty good at Saxo. He ain't really all that fast yet still has a nice palmares.

 

[Ragerod]

I surprised by some of the remarks that Cavendish should just settle for a deal. I'm sure he would like it to be done by now but he should be trying to maximise his earnings. It doesn't matter if he's just entering his prime because the career spans for professional athletes are short and it's supposed to support them for life. Then there are the risks involved which could lead to a career ending injury and hinder his future earnings.

Just a side issue, where does Eisel fit into all of this? Has he sorted out a contract yet or is he attached to Cavendish at the hip?